Former Nn Employee Gets Suspended Term In Hit, Run

NEWPORT NEWS — A retired Newport News Parks and Recreation supervisor got a five-year suspended sentence Friday for an April hit and run accident that involved a 7-year-old boy.

Circuit Court Judge Randolph T. West also placed Horace L. Dearing, 52, on probation for 10 years. Dearing, a city employee for 25 years, had never been in trouble with the law before and has been a good citizen in the community.

``It's difficult to understand how something like this occurred,'' West said.

``But to go out and strike a child and not stop is beyond my conception.''

Dearing, of the 1000 block of 31st St., cried during portions of his sentence hearing.

He told the court he now suffers from depression and that he has gotten rid of his car because it was a haunting reminder of the accident.

Several witnesses testified that Dearing has been devastated by the accident.

The accident, which occurred April 8 in the 200 block of Maple Avenue, did not seriously injure the boy.

According to testimony at Dearing's trial, Dearing had been drinking.

He said he did not stop because the boy got up and ran into a house.

A civil lawsuit is pending. But West ordered Dearing to pay for the boy's medical expenses if the lawsuit is not pursued.

``Very candidly, you ought to be suffering,'' West told Dearing.

``Fortunately, the child was not hurt, but he could have died and you still would have been at home wondering what happened to him,'' the judge said.